Our first episode of 2021 covers a lot. So much, in fact, that we ditched the studio and did an actual tour of some of the fastest-growing areas of College Station to talk about what's new and what's coming.

Communications Director Jay Socol and Economic Development Manager Aubrey Nettles make stops at Jones Crossing, CapRock, Tower Point, the Lowe's Shopping Center and Midtown -- then finish with a lightning round that covers additional areas of College Station.

Keep in mind that this episode was shot for video, so the audio-only version cuts out some driving time and other elements that make a bit more sense if you're watching it. Want to see those? Check the YouTube link below!

All Up In Your Business is now available via:

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Have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, or just want to say hi? Send to [email protected]. 

This is the first time College Station Communications Director Jay Socol has interviewed Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz since the pandemic changed everything. In spite of the local, state and federal funding put into the hands of local businesses, we still lost far too many. So, now what?

In this episode, Natalie talks about her dual role of supporting local businesses while aggressively working to bring in more jobs that diversify College Station's economy. She also explains how her office's brand-new tourism division aims to bring people to College Station at a time when there is still a reluctance to travel, attend events and visit destinations.

Also in this episode is Economic Development Manager Aubrey Nettles, who is leading a holiday campaign to make College Station the Christmas destination in Texas, thanks in large part to a strategic partnership with Santa's Wonderland. 

Nat finishes up with a few fun biz updates on things coming soon to College Station.

All Up In Your Business is now available via:

• Podbean

Transcript + video link: https://bit.ly/2HBTfUo

Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

Have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, or just want to say hi? Send to [email protected]. 

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget.

The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.

Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard

Communications Director Jay Socol

Episode-1: Conditions

Episode-2: Revenues

Episode-3: Expenses

View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget.

The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.

Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard

Communications Director Jay Socol

Episode-1: Conditions

Episode-2: Revenues

Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism

View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget.

The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.

Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard

Communications Director Jay Socol

Episode-1: Conditions

Episode-3: Expenses

Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism

View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget.

The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.

Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard

Communications Director Jay Socol

Episode-2: Revenues

Episode-3: Expenses

Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism

You can view the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget.

The Dallis family has operated some of the most-iconic food and beverage destinations in College Station. Cafe Eccell may be their best-known restaurant, but they recently entered the highly competitive burger market through their new concept Burger Mojo.

In this episode, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol talk to Costa and Andreas Dallis about their legacy of business ventures and how difficult it is to remain relevant in a fast-growing, student-driven community. They even explain why they believe a burger joint in close proximity to so many other burger joints has a solid chance.

Meanwhile, Natalie also talks about the importance of redeveloping older commercial areas in College Station, and how her office has seen early success and is continuing that focus.

All Up In Your Business is now available via:

• Podbean

Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

Have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, or just want to say hi? Send to [email protected]. 

Who better to open a Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in College Station than a former walk-on to the Texas A&M football team? Cory ('08) and Jenny ('01) Davis are poised to open their business in south College Station -- their first foray into the restaurant business -- and talk about how College Station was the only city they ever considered for such a major endeavor.

Also in this episode, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol talk about how the City of College Station sometimes spots opportunities to help new businesses or developers find just the right location for whatever they want to bring to the market.

Finally, Nat shares updated info on some additional restaurants under development in south College Station or, as Jay calls it... "SoCol."

All Up In Your Business is now available via:

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Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

In terms of economic development, 2019 was a heckuva year for College Station.

Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz -- who recently was recognized in public for the first time due to this podcast (such a diva...) -- and Communications Director Jay Socol reflect on some of the successes (and near-misses) from the past year + look ahead at what 2020 might bring in terms of new jobs and a diversified economy for College Station. Among the broad topics:

• 2020 bringing more focus to Northgate

Video version + transcript: http://bit.ly/2Q8Dw11

All Up In Your Business is now available via:

• Podbean

Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

We hear it all the time:

"Hey, College Station, how come you don't bring a [fill in the blank] to town?"

Or the other side of that is, "Hey, bozos, why do you keep bringing more [fill in the blank] to our city?"

First, some of you have anger issues. Seriously, though, a lot of people don't understand:

In this episode of AUIYB, College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol discuss all these points, as well as some things about Post Oak Mall you may not have known. (cliff-hanger!)

** Click here for video pod and show transcript ** 

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Learn more about locating your business or HQ in College Station by visiting grow.cstx.gov.